Search Results (839)

Megafires are transforming western boreal forests, and many burned forests are salvage logged, removing more structure from landscapes and delaying forest regeneration. We studied forest-dwelling owls in a post-fire and salvage-logged landscape in central British Columbia, Canada, in 2018–2019 after the 2010 Meldrum Creek Fire and the 2017 Hanceville Fire. We examined owl habitat selection via call surveys compared to the habitats available in this landscape. Owl pellets were dissected to determine owl diets. We detected six owl species, of which Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) were the most common. Owls had weak and variable habitat selection within an 800 m radius of detections; all species used some burned area. Great Gray Owls (Strix nebulosa) and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginanus) obtained more prey from mature forests (e.g., red-backed voles, Myodes gapperi, snowshoe hares, Lepus americanus) than other owls did, whereas other owls primarily consumed small mammals that were common in burned or salvaged areas. These results indicate a diverse community of owls can use landscapes within a decade after wildfire, potentially with some prey switching to take advantage of prey that use disturbed habitats. Despite that, owl numbers were low and some owls consumed prey that were not available in salvage-logged areas, suggesting that impacts on owls were more severe from the combination of fire and salvage logging than from fire alone. Full article

Although fuzzy logic is regarded as an old modelling technique, its application in recent studies cannot be overemphasised. Therefore, the study aims to provide recent developments and ideas based on the scholarly contribution from the literature on how uncertainty can be reduced and to enhance decision-making through fuzzy logic in relation to bioenergy technologies. This is necessary to address the potential of uncertainty, inherently subjective information, and handling imprecise data, as well as identifying sustainable determinants in bioenergy technologies. Fuzzy logic application is an essential modelling technique in this regard. In this paper, a review focusing on the comprehensive and detailed applications of fuzzy logic models in bioenergy technologies is presented. From the review, it is found that the integration and combination of a fuzzy logic model plus other modelling techniques provides a better performance and is known to be effective and efficient. The review demonstrates how fuzzy logic can help to manage complicated variables, thereby ultimately promoting more effective and sustainable bioenergy solutions. Hence, for maximum attention on the review, it is suitable for stakeholders, planners, and decision makers in bioenergy research and industry. Full article

Biogas slurry (BGS), a nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion, presents a promising opportunity for sustainable agriculture on sandy soils. This review explores the agronomic potential of using BGS for improving sorghum’s (Sorghum bicolor) productivity by enhancing soil fertility and the nutrient availability. It focuses on the sources and properties of BGS, its application methods, and their effects on the soil nutrient dynamics and crop productivity. The findings indicate that BGS improves the soil health and crop yields, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers, especially in resource-limited settings. Despite these benefits, research gaps persist, including the need for long-term field trials, the optimization of application strategies for sandy soils, and comprehensive economic evaluations. Additionally, concerns such as nutrient imbalances, phosphorus accumulation, and slurry composition variability must be addressed. This review recommends standardizing BGS nutrient profiling and adopting site-specific management practices to maximize its agronomic benefits and environmental safety. Integrating BGS into sustainable soil fertility programs could contribute significantly to achieving agricultural resilience and circular economy goals. Full article

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising alternatives for power generation due to their environmental friendliness, cost effectiveness, and strong performance under diffused light. Conversely, their low spectral response in the ultraviolet (UV) region significantly obliterates their overall performance. The so-called luminescent down-shifting (LDS) presents a practical solution by converting high-energy UV photons into visible light that can be efficiently absorbed by sensitizer dyes. Herein, a conventional solid-state technique was applied for the synthesis of an LDS, europium (II)-doped barium orthosilicate (BaSiO₃:Eu²⁺) material. The material exhibited strong UV absorption, with prominent peaks near 400 nm and within the 200–300 nm range, despite a weaker response in the visible region. The estimated optical bandgap was 3.47 eV, making it well-suited for UV absorbers. Analysis of the energy transfer mechanism from the LDS material to the N719 dye sensitizer depicted a strong spectral overlap of $2\times {10}^{10}{\mathrm{M}}^{-1}{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{-1}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}}^4$, suggesting efficient energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor. The estimated Förster distance was approximately $6.83\mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}$, which matches the absorption profile of the dye-sensitizer. Our findings demonstrate the potential of BaSiO₃:Eu²⁺ as an effective LDS material for enhancing UV light absorption and improving DSSC performance through increased spectral utilization and reduced UV-induced degradation. Full article

Background/Objectives: European Brown Hare Syndrome (EBHS) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of hares that causes considerable economic losses on wild and captive-reared hares. No preventive treatments are currently available to defeat the disease. Immunoprophylactic and biosafety measures could be applied to prevent EBHS only in captive-reared hares, where vaccination is proposed as an effective strategy. Due to the lack of a cellular substrate for virus growth, commercially available vaccines are autovaccines produced from inactivated liver suspensions of hares dead for EBHS. Therefore, using a recombinant vaccine based on VP60 major capsid protein seems a viable alternative to overcome such a problem. Methods: the 6xHis C-terminal tagged VP60 protein of EBHSV was expressed and produced in baculovirus, purified by affinity chromatography and the self-assembled recombinant (rEVP60-His₆) protein. To establish the protective properties of rEVP60-His₆-based VLPs, hares were immunised with 50 and 100 µg of VLPs and parenterally challenged with EBHSV. Results: all hares vaccinated with 100 µg of VLPs survived after the experimental infection, demonstrating the excellent protective ability of this prototype VLPs-based vaccine. Conclusions: self-assembled EBHSV rEVP60-His₆ protein was successfully produced following a rapid, simple, low-cost protocol. Although the protective efficacy of such VLPs were experimentally demonstrated, some key aspects remain to be clarified, including the duration of protection, the entity of the antibody response, and the ability to stimulate cell-mediated response. Last, an additional aspect to be evaluated is whether the use of an adjuvant can determine whether its presence improves the performance of the recombinant VLPs vaccine. Full article

Fascioliasis, a parasitic disease caused by liver flukes of the genus Fasciola, remains a significant threat to livestock productivity globally. Despite its economic and zoonotic importance, the knowledge levels of dairy farm personnel regarding this disease remain insufficiently explored in South Africa. This study assessed knowledge and awareness of bovine fasciolosis, including its etiology, risk factors, clinical signs, zoonotic implications, and control measures, among dairy farm personnel in the Eastern Cape Province. A structured questionnaire was randomly administered to 152 dairy farm workers. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between respondents’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge of fasciolosis. Most respondents were males (65.8%), aged 31–40 years (45.4%), with tertiary education (64%), over six years of experience (65%), and residing in inland regions (65.4%). A high proportion reported implementing pasture management practices such as irrigation (90.8%), pasture resting (69.8%), and rotation (94.7). Significant associations were found between geographic location and knowledge of Fasciola spp. as the causative agent, as well as awareness of swampy areas and water snails as key risk factors (p < 0.01). Educational level was significantly associated with awareness of the zoonotic potential of fasciolosis (p < 0.01), and regional location influenced knowledge on control practices (p < 0.01). These findings highlight persistent gaps in the understanding of bovine fasciolosis among dairy farm personnel, particularly in relation to causative agents, clinical signs, and zoonotic risk. Strengthening extension services, enhancing community awareness, and implementing targeted training programs are essential to address these knowledge gaps and improve disease control strategies in the Eastern Cape Province. Full article

The global biobased plastics market is on an upward trajectory due to the quest for a clean/sustainable environment and the growing concerns over climate change. This study used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the global trend in the research evolution and development of bio-based plastics research from 1990 to 2023. The publication records of 2742 articles were retrieved from the Web of Science data collection using the following key terms: “bioplastic* or biodegradable plastic* or biobased plastic* or biodegradable polyester* or biobased polyester* or biodegradable polyethylene* or biobased polyethylene*”. The analysis showed that scientific productivity generally increased across the spectrum of the survey timelines, with the highest publication of 331 articles recorded in 2023. The articles were published in 863 sources by 10,408 authors, with an annual growth rate of 13.55%. China demonstrated the highest number of publications recorded, with 404 articles within the survey period, followed by the United States, with 303 articles. The international collaboration was recorded at 20.86%, while the average citation per article was 27.99. The swift advancement in biodegradable plastic research, as indicated by relevant metrics, highlights the current research trends and underscores the importance of bio-based plastics in promoting a sustainable environment and a circular economy. Full article

Pore pressure prediction gives drillers an early warning of potential oil and gas kicks, enabling them to adjust mud weight pre-emptively. A kick causes a delay in drilling practices, blowouts, and jeopardization of the wells. Changes in pore pressure affect the type of fluid contact in the reservoir. This study predicted the pore pressure and determined fluid contacts within the Lower Cretaceous and early Upper Cretaceous (Barremian to early Cenomanian) sandstone reservoirs of the Bredasdorp Basin using well logs and repeat formation test (RFT) data from three wells: E-BK1, E-AJ1, and E-CB1. Eaton’s method of developing a depth-dependent Normal Compact Trend (NCT), using resistivity and sonic wireline logs, as well as other methods including the Mathews and Kelly, Baker and Wood, and Modified Eaton and Bowers methods, were employed for pore pressure prediction. Eaton’s method provided reliable pore pressure results in all the wells when compared to alternative methods in this study. Overburden gradient and predicted pore pressures ranged from 1.84 gm/cc to 2.07 gm/cc and from 3563.74 psi to 4310.06 psi, respectively. Eaton’s resistivity and density/neutron log method results indicated normal pressure in E-BK1 and E-AJ1, as well as overpressured zones in E-AJ1. However, in E-CB1, the results showed only overpressured zones. The E-AJ1 significant overpressures were from 2685 m to 2716 m and from 2716 m to 2735 m in the pores exceeding 7991.54 psi. Gas–water contact (GOC) was encountered at 2967.5 m in E-BK1, while oil–gas contact (OGC) was at 2523 m in E-CB1, and gas–oil and oil–water contacts (GOC and OWC) were at 2699 m and 2723 m, respectively, in E-AJ1. In E-CB1, oil–water contact (OWC) was at 2528.5 m. Fluid contacts observed from the well logs and RFT data were in close agreement in E-AJ1, whereas there was no agreement in E-CB1 because the well log observations showed a shallower depth compared to RFT data with a difference of 5.5 m. This study illustrated the significance of an integrated approach to predicting fluid contacts and pore pressure within the reservoirs by showing that fluid contacts associated with overpressures were gas–water and oil–water contacts. In contrast, gas–oil contact was associated with normal pressure and under pressure. Full article

This article delves deeply into the moral rationalism advocated by R. M. Hare. Traditionally, the ultimate normativity of morality has been attributed to divine characteristics such as the abstract concepts of universality, transcendence, necessity, and ultimate authority, but Hare explicitly rejects any theological premises and seeks to base moral obligations on a pure structure of linguistic and rational consistency. However, this paper proposes that Hare’s secular rational system inevitably reproduces the functional structure of the divine moral order at its internal logical level. To demonstrate this, the key conceptual attributes involved in “divine normativity” are separated first, and an analytical framework is constructed. At the same time, this paper analyzes how the normative requirements, such as universality and prescriptiveness in the Hare system, relate to the attributes of divine norms. The results show that although Hare appears to maintain thorough secularism on the surface, the moral rationalism emphasis on consistency and universal applicability functionally reproduces a normative structure similar to divine commands. This finding reveals a profound philosophical paradox: even stripped of metaphysical assumptions, human attempts to pursue an objective moral order still tend to appeal to transcendent structures in an implicit way. This paper offers a critical examination of Hare’s theory, affirming both his ambition in the construction of secular moral thought and revealing the underlying tension within it that cannot completely break away from the framework of theological tradition. Full article

The existence of poor academic performance among English as a second language (ESL) high school learners in the Eastern Cape Province has raised a lot of debate among scholars on the most suitable approach teachers could use to assist learners. Teachers’ narratives on the implementation of differentiated instruction and its effectiveness in the academic development of learners have been emphasized. Despite these prolific debates, learners in the Eastern Cape still struggle academically, given that the province always appears in the bottom three of the National Senior Certificate report regarding learners’ academic performance. Therefore, this study examines high school English as a second language teachers’ narratives on differentiated instruction. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of ninety-nine (99) teachers, which involved fifty (50) teachers for the questionnaires and forty-nine (49) teachers with at least five years of experience from ten (10) schools for the interviews. The findings revealed that some teachers understood the concept of the approach and narrated its effectiveness, while some teachers misconceived DI as individualized instruction and inclusive education. Similarly, others preferred the traditional method and maintained that differentiated instruction implementation is easier said than practiced where there are diverse learners. Based on this study’s findings, it was concluded that teachers should be afforded professional development programs. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) and tick infestations remain critical health challenges limiting cattle productivity in rural South Africa, particularly within communal farming systems. The Eastern Cape Province, characterized by high livestock densities and variable management practices, provides a unique context in which to examine parasitic burdens across systems. This study aimed to compare the prevalence, intensity, and diversity of GIPs and tick species in cattle raised under rural communal grazing versus communal feedlot systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 160 cattle (n = 80 per system) were randomly selected for fecal and tick examinations in community-based feedlots in Holela (Centane) and Gxwalibomvu (Tsomo), as well as from surrounding rural villages. Fecal samples were analyzed using the McMaster technique to determine fecal egg counts (FEC), while tick species were identified and counted from standardized body regions. Body condition scores (BCS) were recorded, and farmer practices related to parasite control were surveyed. Results showed significantly higher GI parasite prevalence and FEC in rural community cattle compared to feedlot cattle (p < 0.05), with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. being the most prevalent. Similarly, rural cattle had significantly higher tick infestation rates, dominated by Rhipicephalus microplus and Amblyomma hebraeum. Logistic regression identified rural production system, poor body condition (BCS ≤ 2), and absence of recent deworming as significant risk factors for GI parasitism (p < 0.05). Strong negative correlations were found between BCS and both FEC (r = −0.63) and tick burden (r = −0.57). Additionally, rural farmers reported lower acaricide usage and greater reliance on traditional remedies. The study confirms that rural communal systems expose cattle to higher parasitic risks due to unmanaged grazing, limited veterinary support, and poor parasite control strategies. Communal feedlots, by contrast, offer more controlled conditions that reduce parasitic burden. Integrating strategic parasite management, farmer training, and expanded veterinary outreach is essential to improving cattle health and productivity in communal areas. Full article

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most cultivated crops in South Africa, serving as a staple food, stock feed, and a key element in several industrial applications. It contributes significantly to the growth of the South African agricultural economy. The cultivation of maize generates a large amount of agricultural waste, mainly in the form of maize stover (MS), which encapsulates leaves, stalks, cobs, and husks. Approximately 5.15 metric tons (Mt) yr⁻¹ of MS are generated in South Africa. This corresponds to an energy potential of 94 PJ. There is immense potential to surpass the annual yield of MS by 126% up to about 11.66 Mt yr⁻¹ through practices such as zero tillage and improved agricultural production systems. MS may pose a serious threat to the environment if not managed in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Valorization of MS into biogas presents an excellent opportunity to effectively control biomass waste while contributing to renewable energy production and mitigating dependence on depleting fossil fuels. However, MS continues to be overlooked as a sustainable bioenergy resource due to its lignocellulosic structure. This study explores the potential of converting MS into biogas for heat and power generation, addressing both energy needs and waste management in South Africa. The purpose is to provide knowledge that will inform researchers, innovators, industrialists, policy makers, investors, and other key stakeholders interested in renewable energy systems. Collaborative efforts among multiple stakeholders are vital to leverage biogas as a technology to promote socio-economic development in South Africa. Full article

Background: The need for innovative therapeutic strategies to enhance patient outcomes has increased due to the rise in bacterial co-infections associated with COVID-19. Methods: In this study, ten hybrid compounds were synthesized by combining two known pharmaceutical scaffolds to enhance antibacterial activity and overcome resistance mechanisms. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against five Gram-negative and seven Gram-positive bacterial strains. In silico pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties of selected active compounds (12–16, 19, 21, and 23) were predicted using the SwissADME web tool. Results: Compounds 12–16, 19, 21, and 23 demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, with compound 16 (a ciprofloxacin-containing hybrid) exhibiting the most potent effect, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 7.8125 µg/mL against all tested bacterial strains. The in silico analysis revealed favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, drug-likeness, lipophilicity, and water solubility of most hybrid compounds. Discussion: The synthesized hybrid compounds exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity and desirable pharmacokinetic properties, particularly compound 16. These findings suggest the potential of these molecules in combating bacterial pathogens, especially those implicated in co-infections in COVID-19 infections. Conclusions: The study presents promising hybrid antibacterial agents with potential application as adjunct therapies for treating COVID-19-associated bacterial co-infections. Further investigation is needed, which may lead to effective treatments for managing secondary bacterial infections in viral disease contexts. Full article

This study investigates the feeding behavior of the European brown hare on Pianosa Island, Italy, focusing on seasonal dietary preferences in coastal and inland areas. We quantified plant species frequencies in vegetation and fecal pellets, assessed α and β diversity, compared diets via Bray–Curtis matrices, and evaluated selection preferences using the Resource Selection Ratio. During spring, the coastal diet was predominantly composed of grasses, particularly Dactylis glomerata, while non-leguminous forbs like Hedypnois rhagadioloides were prominent inland. Fabaceae, including Lotus ornithopodioides, were highly preferred. In autumn, non-leguminous forbs, such as Crepis foetida, were favored on the coast, while grasses like Bromus hordeaceus dominated inland. Fabaceae, particularly Trifolium species, remained a key component of the diet. Plant diversity peaked in spring and decreased markedly in autumn. Dietary overlap between seasons was moderate, with higher similarity observed in the coastal area. The study underscores the importance of Fabaceae and seasonal vegetation changes in shaping the hare’s diet. These findings provide valuable insights for conservation, emphasizing the need to preserve key plant species and habitats to support isolated hare populations in Mediterranean ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cancer and bacterial cases are increasing. Hence, new drugs to treat these diseases are paramount. Ferrocene-based hybrid compounds were synthesizedas potential cancer and bacteria therapeutics. Methods: The synthesized compounds were characterized via FTIR, NMR, and LC-MS and evaluated against different cancer cells and bacterial strains. Moreover, computational studies of these compounds were conducted using several silico tools. Results: Among the synthesized compounds, hybrid 10 was the most promising compound, displaying promising anticancer activity with IC₅₀ values between 42.42 and 45.37 and 50.64 and 73.37 µg/mL against HeLa and CHO cancer cells, respectively, with a selective index greater than one on HeLa cancer cells. Compounds 22–26 displayed promising antibacterial activity with a MIC value of 7.8125 µg/mL against most bacterial strains in vitro. The in silico results revealed that this compound has strong binding affinities for 4qtb, 3eqm, and 2w3l cervical cancer proteins, exhibiting binding energies of −7.3, −8.7, and 7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, hybrid 10 showed promising pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties, including high GI absorption, moderate water solubility, favoring the oral administration route, nontoxicity, and is a P-gp substrate. Conclusions: The findings obtained in this study illustrate that hybrid compounds are potential therapeutics that need to be explored. The compounds also contained functionalities relevant for incorporating into nanocarriers to improve their biological activities further. Therefore, further studies are recommended for the most effective compounds to reinforce these findings. Full article